Korean J Anesthesiol.  1978 Sep;11(3):263-267.

Endotracheal Tube Obstruction due to Mucous Crust during Inhalation Anesthesia

• Chang YJ
• Ahn HS
• Kim SY

Abstract

A 2 day old male infant, with congenital diaphragmatic herniation on the left side, received diethyl ether inhalation anesthesia, through a 14F endotracheal tube connected with a Jackson-Ree's system for repair of herniation. Throughout anesthesia, the anesthetic gases were not humidified. Signs of high airway obstruction (intercostal space and sternal notch retraction during inspiration, with wheezing and cyanosis) were revealed at the end of operation. Because of in effectiveness of endotracheal suction, immediately the endotracheal tube was extubated, and endotracheal tube obstruction with a dry mucous crust at the tip of the lumen was found. It is strongly suggested that the etiological causes of tube obstruction might be mainly the anesthesia method which has inadequate humidification during anesthesia. This case of endotracheal tube obstruction due to dry mucous crust during inhalation anesthesia was presented and the literature and management are discussed.

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, Inhalation*
Anesthetics, Inhalation
Ether
Humans
Infant
Inhalation*
Male
Methods
Respiratory Sounds
Suction
Anesthetics, Inhalation
Ether